"(Monday) evening, I had to inform Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo and team principal Stefano Domenicali that unfortunately I'm not able to step in for Felipe," Schumi wrote on his website. "I really tried everything to make that temporary comeback possible, however, much to my regret it didn't work out. Unfortunately, we did not manage to get a grip on the pain in my neck which occurred after the private F-1 day in Mugello, even if medically or therapeutically we tried everything possible."

"The consequences of the injuries caused by the bike-accident in February, fractures in the area of head and neck, unfortunately have turned out to be still too severe," he wrote.

"That is why my neck cannot stand the extreme stresses caused by Formula One yet. These are the clear results of the examinations we did on the course of the past two weeks and the final examination (Monday) afternoon.

"I am disappointed to the core. I am awfully sorry for the guys of Ferrari and for all the fans which crossed fingers for me. I can only repeat that I tried everything that was within my power. All I can do now is to keep my fingers crossed for the whole team for the coming races."